Headline News
Sunshine and Easter boost UK retail sector - BRC
Warmer weather and the late timing of Easter helped boost retail footfall across the UK last month, industry data showed on Friday.
Severn Trent’s Hodgson to replace Adam Crozier as Whitbread chair - report
The chair of Severn Trent is reportedly set to become the new chair of Premier Inn owner Whitbread.
Maersk cuts container forecast, maintains financial outlook
AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping group and a key bellwether for global trade, cut its 2025 container volume growth forecast to a range of -1% to +4% on Thursday, down from its earlier projection of 4%, citing heightened geopolitical tensions and a volatile trade policy environment.
Standard Chartered makes strong start to year as new chair takes reins
Standard Chartered reported a strong start to 2025 on Thursday, as it reaffirmed its strategic direction and announced leadership changes at its annual general meeting in London.
US Q1 unit labour costs surge
Measured US labour productivity tumbled at the start of 2025, as a surge in imports led to a drop in aggregate demand.
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%
The Bank of England lowered interest rates to 4. 25% on Thursday, as widely expected, its second cut so far this year.
US and UK secure crucial trade deal - Donald Trump
The US has signed a “full and comprehensive” trade deal with the UK, Donald Trump insisted on Thursday, just weeks after unveiling his sweeping global tariff regime.
'Cautious' clients hit revenues at S4 Capital
Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital posted a sharp fall in quarterly revenues on Thursday, after nervous clients reined in spending amid the worsening macroeconomic backdrop.
Flutter bets on strong 2025 despite customer-friendly results
Shares in gaming and gambling giant Flutter Entertainment came under pressure on Thursday, after adverse US sports results weighed on first-quarter numbers.
TBC Bank reports rise in first-quarter net profit
Shares in TBC Bank Group were sliding on Thursday morning, even after it reported robust first-quarter results, with net profit rising 7% year-on-year to GEL 319m (£86. 82m), supported by strong performance in both Georgia and Uzbekistan.
Norges Bank holds interest rates at 4.5%
Norway’s central bank left interest rates on hold on Thursday at a 17-year high of 4. 5%, as expected.
Target Healthcare NAV rises modestly in first quarter
Target Healthcare REIT reported a modest increase in net asset value for the first quarter on Thursday, marking its ninth consecutive quarter of growth, supported by inflation-linked rental uplifts and strong portfolio fundamentals in the UK care home sector.
Derwent London reports strong first quarter
Derwent London reported solid first-quarter operational progress on Thursday, with leasing activity ahead of estimated rental values and continued momentum across its development pipeline, while maintaining a low vacancy rate and a strong balance sheet.
Dowlais reports solid Q1, warns of US tariff-related impacts
Dowlais Group said in an update on Thursday that trading in the first quarter was in line with expectations, but it warned that its full-year performance was now expected to come in at the lower end of guidance, citing weaker auto production forecasts and the delayed recovery of tariff-related costs.
Metro Bank on track for FY after ‘significant’ increase in Q1 underlying profit
Metro Bank said on Thursday that it remains confident of meeting full-year guidance as it reported a "significant" increase in first-quarter underlying profit versus the second half of 2024.
Moneysupermarket parent Mony on track to meet full-year expectations
Mony Group said in an update on Thursday that it remained on track to meet full-year expectations after posting a modest rise in revenue for the first four months of 2025, supported by strong performances across its broader portfolio that offset persistent weakness in the car insurance switching market.
Helios Towers reaffirms guidance after first-quarter growth
Helios Towers reported solid growth in key financial and operational metrics for the first quarter on Thursday, underpinned by continued tenancy additions, margin expansion, and a strengthened balance sheet, as it reaffirmed full-year guidance.
Harbour Energy reports solid revenue, production growth
Harbour Energy reported a sharp rise in revenue and production in the first quarter on Thursday, supported by the full contribution from Wintershall Dea assets and strong commodity prices, while also delivering $0. 7bn in free cash flow and a $0. 5bn reduction in net debt.
Morgan Advanced sales dip as expected, does not expect ‘material’ impact from tariffs
Morgan Advanced Materials said on Thursday that first-quarter sales were lower as expected, but that it does not anticipate a material impact from tariffs.
Airtel Africa reports return to full-year profitability
Airtel Africa posted a return to profitability for the year ended 31 March on Thursday, as strong constant currency growth in mobile services and mobile money offset significant foreign exchange headwinds, particularly in Nigeria.